Joint LL.M./J.D.

Current University of Miami School of Law LL.M. students who wish to complete the J.D. degree have the option to enroll in the joint LL.M./J.D. program.

Earn Two Degrees

Joint LL.M./J.D. students will be eligible to receive both the LL.M. and the J.D. degrees within 2.5 to 3 years (depending on the number of Advanced Standing Credits awarded for their foreign law degree.) The joint LL.M./J.D. program requires students to complete a total of 100 credits.

Steps to Apply:

Students may apply to the J.D./LL.M. joint degree directly instead of applying to the LL.M. or J.D. programs only.

After starting the LL.M. program and before completion of the program, LL.M. students must submit an application to the J.D. program. It is recommended that students apply early to make sure their course selection enables them to complete all requirements effectively; please refer to the JD application overview page for deadline information. (To complete an application, students will need to take the LSAT exam www.lsac.org , the exam required for J.D. admission, if they have not already done so. Most students will take the February LSAT.)

Having completed two semesters towards the LL.M., students admitted to the J.D. will enroll in the J.D. in their third semester.

Application Requirements for Admission to the J.D. Program (for LL.M. Students)

The application requirements for the LL.M. and J.D. Programs are comparable, with the major exception that the LSAT exam www.lsac.org is required for all J.D. applicants.

For current LL.M. students, a separate admissions committee will review the application and determine eligibility to enter the J.D. program. The admissions committee takes into consideration such factors as, LSAT score, and grade point average in the classes taken with J.D. students while in the LL.M. program.

In addition, because performance in basic U.S. law courses has been shown to be the best predictor of success in the J.D. program and passage of a U.S. Bar exam, the committee will take a close look at the character of the courses taken during the LL.M. year. It is strongly recommended that LL.M. students thinking about applying to the J.D. program take at least one 1L class and/or one basic U.S. law course during each semester of their LL.M. program such as:

Business Associations

Administrative Law

Constitutional Law

Commercial Law

Trust & Estates

U.S. Income Tax Law

Evidence

Substantive Criminal Law

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the advantage of a Joint J.D./LL.M. degree?
A: Normally, in order to get both degrees a law student would have to earn a minimum of 24 credits for the LL.M. + 88 credits for the J.D. = 112 credits. However, the Joint LL.M./J.D. program provides that 6 credits from the LL.M. can be counted towards the J.D., and 6 credits from the J.D. can be counted towards the LL.M. In effect, this means that 12 credits are double counted towards the credit requirement for the combined degrees. As a result in order to earn both degrees under the joint degree program, students must earn only 100 credits.

Q: Can a student receive Advanced Standing Credit for a foreign law degree?
A: Absolutely. Under the new ABA Standard 505, Miami Law may award up to 29 Advanced Standing Credits towards the J.D. to students for their foreign law studies. The specific number of such credits will be determined by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs based on a review of the applicant’s J.D. application file.

Q: What does this mean for me?
A: If you enroll in the Joint LL.M./J.D., then you need only 100 credits (instead of 112) to earn both degrees. If you receive 29 Advanced Standing Credits towards the J.D., this to complete the Joint LL.M./J.D. you only need 47 more credits. In most cases, full time students can complete the remaining credits in three semesters or three semesters and one summer.

For More Information

For current LL.M. students interested in enrolling in the Joint LL.M./J.D. program, please contact the Office of International Graduate Law Programs for more information at intl-llm@law.miami.edu.